Delanson, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Delanson, New York
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Village
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Southbound NY 395 (Main Street) in Delanson
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Location in Schenectady County and the state of New York.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Schenectady |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.65 sq mi (1.67 km2) |
| • Land | 0.64 sq mi (1.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 817 ft (249 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 335 |
| • Density | 520.19/sq mi (200.97/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12053
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-20082 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0948261 |
Delanson is a small village located in Schenectady County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 335 people lived here. Delanson is found in the southeastern part of a larger area called the town of Duanesburg.
Contents
Where is Delanson?
Delanson is located at coordinates 42°44′55″N 74°11′7″W / 42.74861°N 74.18528°W. This means it's in a specific spot on the map!
The United States Census Bureau says the village covers about 0.6 square miles (1.6 square kilometers) of land. There's no water area within the village limits.
Who Lives in Delanson?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 372 | — | |
| 1940 | 326 | −12.4% | |
| 1950 | 430 | 31.9% | |
| 1960 | 398 | −7.4% | |
| 1970 | 508 | 27.6% | |
| 1980 | 448 | −11.8% | |
| 1990 | 361 | −19.4% | |
| 2000 | 385 | 6.6% | |
| 2010 | 377 | −2.1% | |
| 2020 | 335 | −11.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Let's look at how many people have lived in Delanson over the years. In 2000, there were 385 people living in the village. These people lived in 151 different homes.
Most people in Delanson were White (95.06%). A smaller number were African American (1.30%), Native American (1.56%), or from other backgrounds.
About 33.1% of homes had kids under 18 living there. The average family had about 3 people. The median age in the village was 37 years old. This means half the people were younger than 37, and half were older.
Delanson's History
Early Days: Toad Hollow
The village of Delanson is in the southern part of the town of Duanesburg. It sits between two old roads: the Cherry Valley Turnpike (now part of US 20) and the Danforth Turnpike (now New York State Route 7).
Delanson got its current name in 1893. Before that, the area was known as "Toad Hollow." This funny name came from its location at the start of the Normans Kill drainage area.
Nearby, about half a mile south, was a hamlet called Quaker Street. This was the main business center before railroads came along.
The Railroad Arrives
The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad was built in sections. From 1861 to 1863, a part of the railroad was built from Albany to Central Bridge. This new railroad passed through the Normans Kill valley, making transportation much easier.
To serve Quaker Street, a train station was built. It was called "Quaker Street Station." This was a big step for the area!
Later, the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company took over the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. It became part of their Susquehanna Division. Another railroad, the Schenectady and Duanesburg Railroad, was built to connect Delanson with Schenectady.
A Growing Junction
Because Delanson became a railroad junction (where two lines meet), more people were needed to work there. This led to homes being built for railroad employees. New businesses also started, like a coal business and a saw mill. The saw mill later grew to include feed grinding and flour milling.
Two hotels were also built to welcome travelers. However, many railroad workers moved often for new jobs, so it was hard to keep track of the village's growth.
How Delanson Got Its Name
Before 1890, people discussed what to name the settlement. The name "Caryell" was suggested. But C. D. Hammond, who was the superintendent of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, came up with "Delanson."
He combined parts of the names "Delaware" and "Hudson." He took "Del" from Delaware, "an" from "and," and "son" from Hudson. This created the name "Delanson." So, the name changed from Toad Hollow to Quaker Street Station, and finally to Delanson.
Post Office and Church
In 1893, a post office was set up in Delanson. This was important for the new community. Ed Wilber was the first acting postmaster, followed by Lorin H. White.
People also wanted a place to worship. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1877–78. It still stands today and serves the community.
Railroad Changes and Village Life
More railroad activities came to Delanson as the railroad expanded. Facilities like a cripple track (for repairing damaged cars) and a roundhouse (for locomotives) were added.
In 1885, the first train station burned down, but a new one was built right away. Over time, the way trains were refueled changed. Eventually, refueling at Delanson stopped in 1929. Many railroad jobs were also moved away from the village.
A hotel and restaurant owned by James Shoudy burned down in 1891. The hotel was rebuilt, but the restaurant was not. There were also two blacksmith shops in the village.
In the early 1880s, a small greenhouse was built. It grew over time and was operated by different owners for about 55 years before it was taken down.
Water and Fire Protection
To get better water service for homes and the railroad, the Duanesburg Water Company was formed. They built a reservoir in 1895, and another one around 1909.
Farmers in the area also shipped a lot of hay by railroad. Local dealers helped with this business.
In 1920, the village decided to create a volunteer fire department to protect against fires. Then, in 1921, Delanson officially became an incorporated village. They bought fire equipment, including a motorized pumper.
A building called the Village Hall was built from 1922 to 1923. It housed the fire department and also had an auditorium, a room for the Village Board, and a kitchen.
In 1925, the Fulton County Gas and Electric Company brought electricity to Delanson, providing street lights and power for homes.
Delanson Today
Over time, many railroad jobs moved away from Delanson. Now, many people who live in Delanson work in other places, especially in Schenectady. This has changed Delanson from a commercial hub to more of a residential village.
Several historic buildings in Delanson are part of the Delanson Historic District, which was recognized in 1984. The Christman Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary is another important historic site nearby, listed in 1970.
See also
In Spanish: Delanson para niños
